Sooners Spoil Kansas Soccer Senior Day

Postgame Videos: Coach Francis | Perdue

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Oklahoma spoiled Kansas soccer’s senior day as the Sooners topped the Jayhawks 3-0 Friday afternoon in both teams’ regular-season finale. Despite the loss, KU will advance to the Big 12 Championship, which begins next week, Nov. 2-5, in San Antonio, Texas. Seeding is yet to be determined.

Kansas seniors Kelsey Clifton, Kortney Clifton and Jordyn Perdue were honored after the game for their contributions to the Jayhawk soccer program over the last four years.

After logging a 6-1 win at Iowa State last weekend, KU was unable to find that same offensive momentum Friday collecting just 10 shots versus OU as the Jayhawks fell to 11-8 overall, including 3-5 in the Big 12.

Oklahoma managed three more shots than Kansas but put 10 of its 13 attempts on frame. The Sooners improved to 7-12 on the season (2-6 Big 12) with the win.

It did not take long for Oklahoma to get on the scoreboard. Annalisa Hall took a free kick from about 25 yards out on the left side of the goal during the 12th minute of play. Hall’s shot soared over the field players’ heads before reaching the goal mouth where KU goalkeeper Kaitlyn Stroud made a grab for the ball. However, Stroud misplayed the ball and it bounced across the goal line to put the Sooners up 1-0.

Kansas held Oklahoma back for the rest of the opening frame as OU took just two more shots. Unfortunately, the Sooners also limited the Jayhawks as KU finished the first 45 minutes with five attempts at the goal.

Sophomore Amy Grow led KU with four shots during the game, three of which came in the first half.

During the second half, in the 54th minute, the Sooners struck again on a Dria Hampton corner kick. Hampton’s cross found Amy Petrikin in the box, where she headed it into the net. OU was able to add one last insurance goal seven minutes later. Hampton again started the play with a pass up the field to Caitlin Mooney. Mooney carried the ball all the way into the box and fired a shot from 10 yards out to give Oklahoma its final 3-0 mark.

Kansas will learn its seed position later Friday evening at the conclusion of all Big 12 Conference games.

Postgame Quotes
Kansas 0, Oklahoma 3
October 28, 2011

Kansas head coach Mark Francis
On the loss to Oklahoma:
“They were better than us today, no doubt about it but we should not lose a game because the other team wants it more than we do.”

On refocusing their efforts to the Big 12 Championship:
“Now we are in the post season, so if we lose our season is over and there is no tomorrow. Fortunately we have done enough up to today where we still get to play next week. I think the bottom line is we have to come out and play a lot better than what we did today. The positive thing is that we got it out of our system and now we have to regroup, bounce back and show up on Wednesday and play at the caliber we are capable of.”

Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Kaitlyn Stroud
On the rest of her team’s performance:
“Sometimes you have bad games and this was a bad game. I am not going to blame anyone here for not having their focus; we just had a bad day. I just hoped (during the game) that something was going to go our way or that someone was going to step up but that didn’t happen. Nothing went our way, but that happens so now we move on.”

On getting ready for the Big 12 Championship:
“We have 24 hours to feel sorry for ourselves and then we have to get our mind right because we have a Big 12 Championship we plan on winning.”

Senior midfielder Jordyn Perdue 
On the loss:
“I think that they (Oklahoma) came out and knew exactly what they wanted to do. They backed us into a corner and we played the way they wanted us to play. We are not successful in that over the top ball kind of game, but the good thing about it is that with games like these, there is always a rebound. I think San Antonio is the perfect place for us to come back and totally turn it around.”

On playing her final game at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex:
“Obviously it is pretty emotional but it was a frustrating way to go out. It still does not take back from what we have accomplished so far this year because we are still in a good position to come out and win next week at Big 12’s.”

On what her team needs to do to improve:
“We just need to get back to the basics of what this team is good at, which is playing simple, one-two touch. We are a soccer team that when we possess the ball, we are successful, so doing those simple things is all we have to do.”

Sophomore midfielder Amy Grow
On her team’s offensive struggles:
“I think after we missed time after time, we got frustrated and it went downhill from there. We just need to move on from this game and learn from it.”